Hi, Welcome!
I am glad that you are here and while you are, I want you to know a little bit about me. Choosing a therapist that is right for you is extremely important. It takes time to get to know someone. Here is a little bit about me that I hope will give you a sense of whether you may like to work with me.
Beginnings And Cultural Origins
My beginnings and cultural origins are important. I grew up in South Africa and witnessed firsthand the degradation that occurred to people as a result of legalized, systemic discrimination and prejudice, bigotry and institutionalized segregation, where people were divided, judged and classed according to colour and ethnicity.
I chose to leave such a culture, but as a result of living within it, I know the shame and pain felt and suffered from living in a society that demeans another because of difference.
As a result of my experiences and exposure to the systemic subjugation of a people, I vigilantly oppose such oppression and honour and respect each person for their uniqueness.
My life’s work has been in creating the space for another to grow; to be seen, heard and appreciated.
Education and Professional Journey
My first profession was an elementary teacher in South Africa. As a teacher, I was looking for ways to be more child-centred in my approach and get away from teacher-centred education.
In Canada, I furthered my training and studied Montessori teaching. This gave me tools to follow the needs of the child, “Help me to help myself", was the motto, where the adult stands back and observes the child in terms of their development and then carefully leads them or invites them to learn a little more.
I never labelled my students as “4 year–olds” or put them into categories or labelled them as “kids”. To me each person was an individual, an amazing, open, sensitive human being; each one different and treated with respect.
When I had my own child, my energies and professional focus shifted from children to adults. I studied further and taught English as a Second language. My personal experience in being an immigrant, made me sensitive to obstacles, stresses, insecurities, loss of confidence, loss of a sense of place and community, which are some of the particularities experienced by others coming to a new country.
My specialty was teaching victims of torture at the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, where I worked with people who had experienced and witnessed torture. The ground rules in my classroom were respect and gentle, mutual regard for everyone and slowly people built up confidence and self esteem in a very safe environment.
Becoming A Psychotherapist
Consistent in my life work and value system is my passion for the evolution of the self; to become more aware of what we carry inside of us, our blocks, of where we may get stuck; to evolve into a human being who has compassion for oneself and therefore for others too.
I experienced my own evolution and became fascinated with my own discovery and growth through being in psychotherapy myself.
I made a career change and moved away from the classroom to become a psychotherapist, which allows me to work with another in a relational, one on one modality. I bring passion, compassion and empathy and my life experience to the table.
My interest has always been in connection and in the value of difference and respect for that difference.
I value respectful human contact and trying to evolve in our humanness to achieve compassion and understanding of ourselves and for others so that we can be in touch with ourselves; to know ourselves; feel the best we can possibly feel about our own selves and for others in their difference.
Professional Qualifications
- Graduate of the Toronto Institute of Relational Therapy (TIRP)
- English as a Second Language Teacher for Adults, York University
- Montessori Teaching Certificate (Association Montessori Internationale)
- TTHD (Transvaal Teachers Higher Certificate)
Professional Affiliations
Member of the Canadian Association of Psychodynamic Therapists (CAPT)
Registered Member of The college of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO)
TESL Ontario (Teachers of English as a Second Language, Association of Ontario)